I’ve written quite a bit about the best portable basketball hoop in this guide. So if you’ve ever wondered about the idea of having your basketball hoop outside your house, then you need to read what I’ve got in store for you.

Best Portable Basketball Hoop Systems (What to Buy in 2018)

Finding the best portable basketball hoop systems wasn’t easy. But I’m not going to make it difficult for you. With this comprehensive comparison table, you see my final choices. Plus, an in-depth review about each one of them! All this to help you buy the right hoop! Isn’t that amazing?

Something affordable is always on the table when it comes to buying products online. Take the Lifetime Pro Court Portable Basketball System as an example. It’s the most inexpensive portable basketball hoop on this list. But that doesn’t stop it from being the most durable and best portable basketball hoop.

This hoop has a 44-inch impact-resistant board made of Polyethylene. Polyethylene is a favorite board material for avoiding damages. It doesn’t crack or break under pressure. So for a portable basketball hoop, this board is quite robust.

Adjusting this hoop is easy and quick. All thanks to the telescoping mechanism. I know you must be wondering if this portable basketball system is all-weather proof or not. To that, I want to say, “Hell, yes!”

The nylon net, base, and board are carefully engineered for indoor and outdoor use. Nothing can stop you from playing – regardless of the weather.

Things We Don’t Like:

Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System – Under $150

For the record, the Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System is only designed for poolside use only. It’s not versatile as much as it is durable and portable for use. And yes, children and adults can use this best portable basketball hoop.

Your pool time just got better! This hoop features a 44-inch shatterproof board. It houses a classic all-weather nylon net and rim. And telescoping height adjustment with a durable 3-inch diameter pole.

All these features make it the most durable basketball hoop for outdoor use. The attractive graphic on board gives it a refreshing look. Something to liven up your backyard!

Nothing screams low support for a poolside hoop like this one; while you splash and reach for the ball inside the pool. This best portable basketball hoop stays in its rightful place. As loyal and fierce as you’d want it to be!

The Problem:

I know why you love the Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System . And I also know why you won’t if you were to buy it .Rust is an unforgiving enemy to this hoop . It sticks to the pole and horizontal plate. Some of your might even find it insite the pole which is the hardest spot to clean !

Things We Liked:

The base weight doesn’t budge.

Best mini portable basketball hoop.

The all-weather net and powder-coated rod are durable.

Things We Don’t Like:

The shelf life of this hoop suffers greatly due to rust.

Lifetime 50 Inch Shatter Proof Portable Basketball Hoop – Under $350

The Lifetime 50 Inch Shatter Proof Portable Basketball Hoop is my best mid-range pick. It is perfect for recreational and training use. Aspiring basketball players can make the most of the polycarbonate Fusion board. It’s shatterproof and all-weather for good.

The portable base has a 35-gallon capacity. You can fill up space with water or sand. Keeping sandbags on top of the support for extra stability also helps. One unique feature of this best portable basketball hoop is the double-compression springs.

Does your basketball get stuck in the neteverything time you try to dunk? Well, that happens because the rim is made of common material. But springs installed on the sides can prevent that. It launches the ball back to you – no matter how attempt or to succeed at dunking it.

The Problem:I am guessing you dont want to assemble a complicated basketball system on your own? Well , if you dont then the Lifetime 50-Inch Shatter Proof is not your friend. Installing it can be hard and time-consuming .But trust me , the end result is worth it !

Things We Liked:

Supports one-handed height adjustment.

Durable and sturdy right out of the box.

Things We Don’t Like:

Putting the parts together takes a long time.

Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop – Under $600

The Silverback NXT is a well-made basketball hoop. And even though it’s almost double the price of my previous pick, it’s worth every penny. The feature that stands out here is the Stabili-Frame. The entire foundation of this hoop is made of durable steel. It is the best portable basketball hoop for rough play.

It even has a wrap-around backboard design which adds to its stability. I haven’t assembled a portable basketball hoop as fast as this one. The Quick-Play design speeds things up. Making the result irresistibly excellent and convincing!

The Silverback NXT indeed has that gym-like quality to it. You’d think it belongs in a training camp of some sort. So sturdy and durable are it’s components. It encourages you to become a hardcore basketball player. Don’t listen to me. Buy this best portable basketball hoop and see for yourself!

The Problem:

The intructions mentioned in the manual are a bit hard to understand . Plus, standard installation tools dont work with this hoop .You need to purchase or borrow a large tool set.

Things We Liked:

The material is strong and all-weather proof.

Heavy-duty portable base.

Things We Don’t Like:

Putting the parts together takes a long time. And not to forget extra tools.

Spalding NBA Hybrid Portable Basketball System – Under $1000

Nothing can compete with the Spalding NBA Hybrid. Not in price or performance. This best portable basketball hoop is for right basketball players. If you’re serious about improving your practice for competitions, buy this one.

With a 60-inch acrylic board and a steel frame, the Spalding NBA Hybrid is inspired. You can store 200 pounds of sand and water in its base. It adds to its sturdiness and toughness on any ground. And in case you’re going to be away for a while, it even features a portable storage design. So easy storage access all the way around!

The first time I laid my eyes on this hoop, it looked like a transformer to me. After assembly, the finishing of the board, rod, and base looked beastly. Exactly what I wanted from a basketball hoop this expensive!

The Problem:While the end result is satisfying , the assembly is not . It would come as a surprise to me if you complain about its lengthy and complicated installation process.

Things We Liked:

Secure pole structure mounting system.

You only need to adjust the height once.

Things We Don’t Like:

You undoubtedly know what to buy. But has anyone told you what not to buy? Well, if you’re glancing at this brief, but straightforward comparison table below. I already know your answer to my question.

Choosing The Best Portable Basketball Hoop In 2018

Buying something this big can be confusing for a lot of you. Allow me to make it a little bit easier. Below are the factors to consider before buying the best portable basketball hoop.

Size

As you can see in my comparison table, the ideal backboard size should be between 44 to 60-inches. But isn’t the set backboard size for NBA and NCAA boards 72-inches? True as that may be, you won’t see such wide backboards on driveways; especially when they’re portable! Only in-ground basketball hoops make that cut.

A more sensible option for a portable basketball hoop is and should be between 44 to 60-inches. 44-inch being the smallest a backboard can get. And if you want standard playability – for children and adults – go for 50 or 54-inch. This size offers players better performance and space for improvisation.

Sizes above 60-inches are more expensive than the previous choices. Plus, they require a stronger frame and base for stability.

Material

You can choose from a variety of materials for a backboard. Why should you always go for the one you’re most familiar with? Instead, pick something that’s durable and all-weather proof.

Polyethylene or Polycarbonate

Polyethylene is the most common material used for backboards. Plus, it is a form of plastic. If you want a basketball hoop that lasts for many years, go for this one. It may not look rugged and professional. But it’s the cheapest option out there for long-lasting performance.

Acrylic

Acrylic boards have a transparent design. They’re prone to scratches. But they’re not one to break down after months of use. You will find that all mid-range backboards are made of acrylic. Come what may opt for more large acrylic boards. It is because lighter ones can rattle due to the wind.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is the real mark of a right basketball hoop. It is a heavy-duty buy which is most expensive. If you want to buy a tempered glass, make sure the base and rod holding the hoop in place are also durable.

The best part about using tempered glass is that it doesn’t scratch or rattle that easily. So it scores the highest marks on durability.

Rim

The rim is the part of the basketball system from where the ball passes through. If the rim is not secure, it is useless. There are two types of rim:

Standard Rim

A standard rim is a simple hoop. The one you see in playgrounds. You cannot apply too much pressure on it. It’s the best kind for recreational use.

Breakaway Rim

A breakaway rim has double-compression springs. These enhance the ball’s bounce. And it also gives the basketball player better stability while shooting. A breakaway rim is so strong that you can hang from it. It is durable, sturdy, and bouncy!

Base

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In a portable basketball hoop, the base is essential. It is what keeps the basketball hoop in place. When compared to in-ground basketball hoops which are drilled into the concrete ground, the portable ones need to be heavy at the base. And for that, you need to fill the plate with water or sand to keep it firm.

Many expensive systems want you to add a base gel to keep the hoop stable. It is suitable for winter use and also ensures better durability than water or sand. The average gallon capacity of any base is around 27 gallons. If you want to move the hoop to another place, emptying the bottom gets more comfortable with portable lid access.

Conclusion

We all think we know what’s best for use; at least until the next best thing comes along. But in the end, we all want to buy products based on features and reviews. And that’s why I’m here for, isn’t it? To ease your burden of obtaining the best portable basketball hoop. I know more than most people about basketball. And there’s no other way of buying than comparing what’s already out there! So what are you waiting for?